What’s In My Field Kit?

Your field kit is very personal. What works for one nature journaler, might not suit another. That said, we all have to start somewhere. I find it helpful to see what others are using, try out what makes sense for me, and adapt my kit to my particular working style — which, to be honest, evolves over time. I like to take as little as possible into the field, so I’ve pared down my tools and supplies. This iteration has been serving me very well for the last few years. I hope you find this helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or if you need further help!

Video Tour Of My Kit

This is from a reply I filmed for another Substack Chat, which only allowed short videos.

Part 1

Part 2

Annotated List Of My Tools And Supplies

All supplies can be found here. (Disclosure: I do not receive anything if you buy from Blick. It was just a handy way to list the art supplies all in one place.)

Art Toolkit Palette, pans, and mixing tray can be found here. (Disclosure: Again I don’t get anything, if you order - I just really love this palette!)

Journals

• Strathmore 500 Mixed Media Journal

  • I use both the hard and soft cover journals in my art practice, but I have a fondness for the small, hardcover version in the field. The binding is sturdy, and the paper can take a variety of media — wet and dry!

Pencils And Pen

• Mechanical Pencils

  • While I don’t use pencil in the field, I keep a GraphGear 1000 .5mm pencil in my kit because the weight feels sturdy in my hand. Mechanical pencils mean you don’t have to bring a sharpener. I load HB hi-polymer lead in mine.

• Micron Pens

  • I use 005 (.2 mm) pens in both black and sepia, and carry at least 5 pens with me.

Watercolor Paint And Brushes

• Art Toolkit Mini

  • I use a custom configuration of four mini pans and a large mixing tray.

• Daniel Smith Watercolor - Limited Palette

  • Quinacridone Gold

    • Hansa Yellow Medium — I swapped QG for this brighter, neutral yellow to use this spring/summer. It makes brighter greens and oranges, and just seems to have the same quality of light as the sun during this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere. Edited 5/15/25.

  • Quinacridone Rose

  • French Ultramarine

  • Moonglow - it’s a fantastic neutral and mixes well with the colors with the other colors listed

• Pentel Aquabrushes — I adore my water brushes. I seem to have more control over the water flow with the Pentels, and I appreciate not having to carry water and water container with me in my pack.

Other Tools And Supplies

These supplies you can find almost anywhere.

• Swedish Towels

• Caliper

• Metric Ruler

• Forceps

• Magnifying Glass

• Microscope

• Smartphone/Camera